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Paris Riverboat Experience

We would like to take a Seine River Dinner Cruise. We would to enjoy a classic French menu. Any input on which ones would be best?
Thanks

Posted by
858 posts

That gets asked a lot here, and the consensus opinion is that those dinner cruises are not worth the effort or expense, the food will be disappointing for what the cruise will cost you. Taking a one hour boat ride on the Seine, minus the meal, is very popular and something I did on my first trip to Paris over 40 years ago, but it is not something I have done on subsequent visits to Paris...

Good luck.

Posted by
8069 posts

The usual cruises are not recommended for their food. One is better off eating well on shore and doing a sightseeing cruise separately. There are two expensive options that get good reviews; I have not tried them.
Ducasse lunch and dinner cruises
Le Calife

These cost a lot more than the usual tourist grind especially the Ducasse, but do get good recommendations from people I know who have done them.

Posted by
118 posts

I suspect that the price difference is indicative of the food prep. The less expensive dinner cruises have the food all prepared and it's just heated up and served on board. The two more expensive ones, the food is prepared on board and is served fresh. Makes a big difference unless you aren't fussed too much about food, in which case go with one of the cheaper ones. The scenery is the same regardless.

Posted by
741 posts

A night cruise is great. A dinner cruise is same with food. Here’s the thing. If you are dining you will not actually enjoy the sights, the lights, the breeze. You will be involved in the food. Probably inside the boat, behind glass. If the food is great, if the food is not so great, it will lessen the experience of Paris at night on the Seine.

Posted by
51 posts

Le Calife is excellent. Food is prepared on board. Plenty of time to enjoy both the food and the river. Expensive but worth it!